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Location: Southeastern Asia, group of small islands and reefs in the South China Sea, about one-third of the way from central Vietnam to the northern Philippines

Geographic coordinates: 16 30 N, 112 00 E

Map references: Southeast Asia

Area:
total: NA sq km
land: NA sq km
water: 0 sq km

Area - comparative: NA

Land boundaries: 0 km

Coastline: 518 km

Maritime claims: NA

Climate: tropical

Terrain: NA

Elevation extremes:
lowest point: South China Sea 0 m
highest point: unnamed location on Rocky Island 14 m

Natural resources: none

Land use:
arable land: 0%
permanent crops: 0%
permanent pastures: 0%
forests and woodland: 0%
other: 100%

Irrigated land: 0 sq km (1993)

Natural hazards: typhoons

Environment - current issues: NA

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Population: no indigenous inhabitants
note: there are scattered Chinese garrisons (July 2000 est.)

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Country name:
conventional long form: none
conventional short form: Paracel Islands

Data code: PF

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Economy - overview: China announced plans in 1997 to open the islands for tourism.

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Ports and harbors: small Chinese port facilities on Woody Island and Duncan Island being expanded

Airports: 1 (1999 est.)

Airports - with paved runways:
total: 1
1,524 to 2,437 m: 1 (1999 est.)

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Military - note: occupied by China

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Disputes - international: occupied by China, but claimed by Taiwan and Vietnam